LETTER TO THE EDITOR: TO THE PEOPLE OF IDAHO: POLITICAL RESPONSIBILITY IN THE NUCLEAR AGE

We are in the midst of hotly contested campaigns to determine the nominees in the 2016 presidential election, yet none of the candidates have even voiced concern about the nuclear war dangers we face.This reflects the underlying denial and complacency that disconnects the American people from the risks of using nuclear weapons in the years ahead.

A nuclear war between the U.S. and Russia could destroy civilization in a single afternoon and send temperatures on Earth plummeting into a new ice age.Such a war could destroy most complex life on the planet.

Despite the gravity of such threats, they are being ignored, which is morally reprehensible and politically irresponsible. The media has failed to challenge the candidates on nuclear weapons during the debates and has ignored the issue in their coverage. We must put these issues back on the radar screen of public awareness.

It’s appalling that none of the candidates have yet put forward any plans to end current threats of nuclear annihilation, none has challenged the planned expenditure of $1 trillion to modernize the U.S. nuclear arsenal, and none has made a point of the U.S. being in breach of its nuclear disarmament obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

As the Idaho Primary draws near, we ask that you question the candidates about their views on these issues so that their positions become part of the media coverage. In this way, the citizens of Idaho can make informed decisions when choosing their next Presidential nominees.

The authors are affiliated with the Santa Barbara based Nuclear Age Peace Foundation.